Free throws seal the deal for Del Norte against St. B's

EUREKA -- In a close game, you've got to make your free throws down the stretch.

Del Norte did just that Wednesday evening, taking care of business from the foul line -- hitting 10 of 11 during the final 74 seconds -- in its 59-50 nonconference road win over St. Bernard's.

With the victory, the Warriors improved to 4-5 for the season, while the Crusaders dropped to 7-3.

"We knew coming in that St. Bernard's is very well-coached and plays hard," said Del Norte head coach Blaine Lopez. "I think we came out and matched their intensity, and that was important for us to do."

The Warriors' good shooting in the second half made a big difference in a game where both teams played with vigor.

"I was pleased with our defensive rotation," said St. Bernard's head coach Steve Thrap. "We're definitely scrappy on the boards and we were really getting after it."

The visitors built a four-point lead (13-9) after the opening quarter, aided by 3-pointers from Doug Ovick and Josh Gruden.

Del Norte increased its lead to eight (22-14) in the second quarter, as Sean DeArman scored six consecutive points -- four in the paint and two via a soft baseline jumper.

The Crusaders, however, closed out the final three minutes of the quarter on a 9-0 run -- seven of those points coming via Houston Knox -- to lead by one (23-22) at halftime.

Halfway through the third quarter, Logan Thrap's 3-pointer from the top of the key put the Crusaders up by five (32-27), and a minute later Christian Stephens' trey from the left corner kept St. Bernard's ahead by four (35-31).

But this time it was the Warriors who finished strongly, ending the quarter with eight quick points.

Steven Maready had a hand in the first five points, dishing an assist to Dylan Pease for a layup, and then nailing a 3-pointer from the right corner. Gruden then dialed long distance from the right wing to put the Warriors up by four (39-35) heading in to the final quarter.

Knox got to work immediately in the fourth quarter, first going coast-to-coast with a steal and then hitting a 3-pointer from the left wing when the Warriors inadvertently left him unguarded.

But St. B's offense stalled, and Del Norte crept ahead, with Ovick's two jumpers sandwiched around DeArman's putback.

The Crusaders closed within six points with 45 seconds remaining after Shed Bean's floater in the paint and two free throws, but the Warriors, well they were money from the foul line.

Knox finished with a game-high 24 for the home team, while DeArman (13), Ovick (12) and Gruden (11) each scored in double digits for Del Norte.